SACHAJUAN Normal Hair Shampoo

My shampoo changes as often as my cleanser and lately I've been obsessed with a Swedish line called SACHAJUAN that I discovered through Woodley&Bunny. The sales people tell me that Ellen DeGeneres swears by their stuff but that is besides the point.

SACHAJUAN is extremely simple, from the bottles to the no frills label, but thats their appeal. It kind of reminds me of a even more pared down Davines. The Normal Hair Shampoo uses something called Ocean Silk Technology to stimulate hair and scalp and give it a healthy look.

I noticed after a week of using it that my hair seemed stronger, softer, and shinier. I don't have long hair so the fact that I notice a positive difference in such a short amount of time really speaks to how wonderful this shampoo is. This is a daily shampoo, which is important for me because I need something not harsh but that also cleanses my hair which tends to get oily and prone to dandruff if I don't take of it. Using this shampoo has left my hair and scalp balanced and I definitely see myself buying another bottle.

SACHAJUAN Normal Hair Shampoo - $24

Soma Innovative Water Filters

Anyone who regularly reads this blog knows that I love drinking water, I've reviewed two water companies and this one is one of the most special yet. While research is still being done on the sustainability of packaged drinking water, and toxicity issues are a cause for alarm with plastic bottles, I've stumbled onto something different and exciting.

Meet the SOMA Water System, a beautiful and innovative way to get wonderful tasting, clean water. The magic in this brilliantly engineered piece comes from the revolutionary filter which is comprised of 100% compostable materials such as Malaysian coconut shells, vegan silk, and a special food-based PLA plastic that is considerably safer than ordinary plastics on the market that leech out toxins.

The glass carafe is extremely sturdy and holds a wonderful amount of water, but let's not kid ourselves - the design is the selling point. Not only will it look good in any setting, but the design is decidedly minimalist and utilitarian. The shape makes it easy to grip and gives it increased surface area.

Unfortunately this is not currently sold on the market (I told you I love an underground, niche brand), but for those interested, bookmark: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zachallia/soma-beautifully-innovative-all-natural-water-filt to stay up to date on availability. They've finished fundraising and met their goals, so those of you who missed out on placing an order might have an opportunity in the near future!

Celine FW13 RTW

Celine was the highlight of Paris Fashion Week. Each look was demure, romantic, and chic in only the way that the French can produce. But there was a true creativity and passion behind the seemingly simple silhouettes. Each cut had a purpose, each draping so fresh and refined, one can't help but recognize Philo as a master designer on top of her game. 

Elijah Liu

Love this kid, a shame he didn't make it further. We could use a Chinese-Mexican Bieber!

YULI Pure Mask Review

From one of my favorite new cult lines, comes a mask that is true to their DNA - made with natural "good for you ingredients", using advanced science and technology, and delivering results that truly make a difference. It's obvious that YULI is not only a "natural" line but a line deeply rooted in incorporating the most advanced breakthroughs thanks to the founder Yun's background as a chemist who has formulated products for various brands before creating her own line of "uncompromisingly effective" skincare.

Pure is the quintessential mask that clears blemishes, purifies skin, gently exfoliates and renews skin, and provide anti-aging nutrients. Pure comes as a powder that is water activated. This keeps it fresh and active, preventing the need for fillers such as preservatives, alcohols, silicones, emulsifiers that can irritate skin and be bad for overall health, this also means 100% of the formula is active. The base of the mask is made of a composite blend of 4 types of mineral rich antioxidant clays, then loaded with traditional botanicals (Mung Beans, Rose Petals, Willow Bark, Cucumber) which hydrate, fight inflammation, and irritation, with botanical enzymes to gently exfoliate and clarify skin, and an advanced Biophotonically charged Matcha to really repair and improve skin. I'm so impressed with YULI's list of ingredients that are both high-end, powerful, and inventive. Unlike a lot of high end brands that promote natural, clean ingredients, YULI does not overpower their awesome products with things like essential oils that are needless and mainly used for scent, instead their products have a beautifully natural subtle scent.

The non-activate mask in powder form

Per YULI's suggestions, for winter to add some moisture benefit and infuse more nutrients that can be delivered by the mineral-rich antioxidant clays, I mixed in some Royal Jelly with the mask as I was activating it with filtered water. It became a silky fluid mask that was scented of honey rose tea, just delicious! Infusing royal jelly helps the mask stay hydrated, for those who do not need something too active that purges skin of impurities.

Activated Mask (w/Royal Jelly)

I used a few drops more water than I really needed but its okay because it goes onto skin very velvety and creamy. You can really feel your skin drinking up all the nutrients like it has been starving all week for this treat! The texture made the product work really well in restoring balance to moisture and really infusing my skin with the nutrient cocktail in there. The wonderful thing about their clays is that they're so full of minerals and nutrients that they're wonderful to balance any skin type: dry/mature skin will benefit from the nutrients whereas acneic skin will benefit from the sebum balancing properties.

Upon washing off, I felt my skin looking brighter and yes- glowing. I don't want to use that word because it seems every mask says it will leave complexion glowing, but I never really notice a difference besides my skin feeling lighter at least but this mask truly left me looking in the mirror in amazement and how healthy and bright my skin appeared. All the grime and gunk trapped inside the pores are gone, all blemishes are minimized with redness calmed, the gentle exfoliation makes skin feel and look brand new, and I even noticed that smile lines even appear more "relaxed" possibly due to the collagen stimulating nature of the anti-aging actives. There is no dryness and yet dry patches are neutralized as well, and skin looks calm and restored.

I highly recommend this active but non-irritating mask. It truly shows the power of a naturally formulated, advanced product and is bar none the only mask I'll be using from now on. It is available for $52 and because it is in powdered form, a little goes a long way so you really get your moneys worth for this finely created mask that will change your skin! It is a must go-to weekly treatment I use no matter what I'm doing or where I am because it truly is the one thing you need above all else to make your skin the best it can be!

Available at YULI Skincare $52 - Here

Eve Lom Cleanser

Eve Lom's Cleanser is one of those products that on its own strength can carry a line, much like Rodin's Facial Oil or La Mer's moisturizing cream. Eve Lom's Cleanser is the perfect product for someone like me who has larger pores, and skin that tends to get oily at the end of the day who doesn't want it to get too stripped.

The Cleanser is a balm, made of plant oils and butters that melts upon contact with skin. The sweet herbal scent is luxurious and the oil emulsion gently sweeps away oil and pore cloggers while leaving skin balanced and hydrated. The muslin cloth (that comes with orders over 100ml), massaged skin and gently exfoliates off the dead skin cells as the oils are sweeped away. Revealing healthy, radiant skin.

Eve Lom Cleanser (with muslin cloth) $80 

Brand Spotlight: Hourglass Cosmetics

To anyone who has watched the Golden Globes this past Sunday, whether you love beauty or not, you've seen Hourglass Cosmetics at work. Hourglass Cosmetics is a chic, edgy, youthful, luxury beauty brand known for their primers and foundations which have legions of fans. They're available in top retailers like Barneys & Bergdorf Goodman, but a few large Sephora's also carry them.

Beauties such as Emily Blunt and Jessica Alba used Hourglass products for most of their look at the Golden Globes. Hourglass was created by a makeup artist, Carisa Janes, and is known for being cutting edge, luxuriously packaged, and modern. Their products are high performance but give a natural effect.

My favorite products from them are:

The No28 Primer Serum which is like a facial oil/primer hybrid that not only allows foundation to apply evenly and hold in place longer, but also moisturizes dry rough patches while balancing shine due to the oils. It makes foundation go on like silk and holds everything in place. The skin truly looks like real life airbrushed perfection.

The Illusion Tinted Moisturizer is an amazing light tinted moisturizer that is perfect for covering small imperfections and acne marks while delivering moisture into skin. It's more on the thick side so I consider this a light weight foundation instead that has moisture.

Got this for my mom over the holidays and have to say this is quickly becoming her favorite lipstick. The wand makes it easy to control how much color you want at precise spots. And the liquid is heavily pigmented like traditional lipsticks but is not drying which is so common in heavily pigmented lip colors.

As you can see Hourglass cosmetics makes really gorgeously packaged products that also are high performance. You can view the collection at their website.